With college basketball between Missouri and Kansas still flippantly referred to as “Border War”, and students at KU parading John Brown signs at KU basketball games, it’s interesting to consider why Kansas University continues to make use of the “Jayhawk” as a symbol of “higher learning”. Considering the “Jayhawker” during the actual Border War and War for Southern Independence was a murdering group of unprincipled men who robbed and killed their way through many Missouri and Kansas Communities – it can only be that Kansas University hopes that no-one remembers or cares about the innocent people who died at the hands of the “Jayhawker”. Besides, the “Jayhawk” today is quite marketable, with lots of bumper stickers, and plush stuffed animals.
tell these @#$!# Jayhawkers if they remember Quantrill and Bloody Bill and what happened at lawerance,kn!!
After the our war ended in 1865, a nation tired of war sought to reconcile, even as reconstruction would enact further revenge on a pugnacious Southland. Many northern units having captured Confederate unit and regimental battle flags would return them out of courtesy and a desire to effect the national reconciliation so desired. Few would fail to do so, Wisconsin among them. A law was even passed declaring that Confederate veterans were to be considered as fully American war veterans in this era seeking reconciliation. When war with Spain was sought Southern men were recruited noting the opportunity to participate with their fellow northern Americans in another time of national need and to further effect reconciliation. Obviously Kansas University has defied this spirit of reconciliation, choosing the Jayhawker mascot as a statement of defiance against national reconciliation with Southerners.
Not exactly sure how the 14th Amendment and the brutality of the Reconstruction fit that spirit of reconciliation but agree on the point about the jayhawk mascot. In all fairness, let them retain the jayhawk, and let the southern universities retain their southern mascots, names, and traditions. While the former will happen, the latter sadly has already been under attack for several years.
As a Kansas alumni, let me simply state the Jayhawk is a mythical cartoon bird, and in this day and age nothing more. Kansans have been known as Jayhawkers for hundreds of years, and its a proud part of OUR hertiage. 99% of Kansans dont know much about the Jayhawkers of yester year, and every seems fine with that except those whom are filled with fake outrage.
So you’re saying history only matters as long as you agree with it?
My favorite part is that “Kansans have been known as Jayhawkers for hundreds of years, and its a proud part of OUR hertiage.” Considering its only been Kansas since it became a United States Territory. Does anyone have any evidence of the Indians calling themselves Jayhawkers?